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Tokyo presents one thing of a contradiction. On one hand, it’s the world’s largest metropolis; you wouldn’t be improper to state that you would spend a month right here and nonetheless not see every little thing, and even near it.
Then again, Tokyo is adjoining to a few of the finest day journey locations in all of Japan. I typically inform vacationers to evenly divide their time between central Tokyo and the cities and cities simply exterior it. For instance, with 4 days in Tokyo, you’ll solely spend two exploring areas like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza and Asakusa.
Which isn’t to say that day journeys from Tokyo are a one-size-fits-all matter. Actually, whereas most vacationers will wish to go to Nikko, Kamakura or Mt. Fuji, choices past this are as limitless because the Tokyo skyline.
The Paradox of Tokyo Day Journeys
Irrespective of which Tokyo day journeys attraction most to you, taking them will really feel unusual. In any case, how on earth can you allow the world’s largest metropolis behind, even for a day? This cognitive dissonance might be particularly acute if it’s your first journey to Japan, and even worse should you’ve simply landed within the nation. You should have a visceral feeling that you simply is perhaps lacking out on one thing—do your finest to disregard this.
Or quite, to re-frame it: The actual FOMO is the truth that should you don’t get out of town, you’re ceding one of many largest advantages of touring in Tokyo. Specifically, that the wide range of cities and cities accessible in only a day from the capital imply that it’s a number of locations in a single. Solely vacationers who’re daring sufficient to discover these satellite tv for pc places can perceive Tokyo in its full context.
The Greatest Day Journeys from Tokyo
Nikko
It shouldn’t come as a shock that Nikko is a prime day journey from Tokyo, what with its 400-year outdated shrine and historical cedars. Nevertheless, one factor I discovered a few falls in the past is that Nikko can also be a terrific in a single day vacation spot, whether or not you give your self additional time to discover Tosho-gu, or as an alternative to go “up” to Oku-Nikko for out of doors actions.
Kamakura
One other one of the well-liked day journeys from Tokyo is coastal Kamakura. One among Japan’s former capitals, this metropolis is very stunning in June, when ajisai (hydrangeas) bloom at temples equivalent to Meigetsu-in and Hase-dera, in addition to for evergreen points of interest just like the Kotoku-in “Large Buddha.” Conveniently, Kamakura Station is only one hour from Tokyo Station.
TIP: For those who go to Kamakura, there are many add-on journeys together with eclectic Enoshima island, vibrant Yokohama metropolis and Zushi, which is dwelling to Fujisan-facing Shin-Nase Seashore.
Mt. Fuji
Talking of Mt. Fuji, it makes a terrific day journey from Tokyo. Usually, this entails visiting the Fuji 5 Lakes area (and, extra particularly, both Lakes Kawaguchi or Yamanaka) however may additionally entail the new springs hub of Hakone, the Izu Peninsula, Miho-no-matsubara seashore in Shimizu or Shizuoka metropolis’s Nihondaira viewpoint. You’ll be able to even go to Obuchi Sasaba, a tea plantation with views of the mountain.
Chiba
All the most underrated day journeys from Tokyo are to Chiba prefecture, which you most likely solely know (if you understand it in any respect) from arriving at or departing from Narita Airport. A few of my favourite choices (a lot of which may be visited in the identical day should you lease a automobile) are Mt. Nokogiri, Tateyama Citadel and Metropolis, the Edo-era canal city of Sawara, coastal Choshi and naturally, Chiba Metropolis.
Kawagoe
Talking of Edo, one final (however not closing) Tokyo day journey is Kawagoe. Situated in Saitama prefecture north of Tokyo, and accessible from Ikebukuro Station, Kawagoe is the least-exciting day journey from Tokyo, but in addition the best to execute on account of its small measurement. You’ll be able to spice this selection up should you go to in early December, and are in a position to watch the Chichibu Yomatsuri “evening competition” because it unfolds.
Tips on how to Correctly Proportion Your Tokyo Itinerary
As I referenced earlier on this submit, I believe a 1-to-1 ratio is ideal for a Tokyo journey. Which means, that for each full day you spend in Tokyo, you possibly can afford to spend a day exterior of Tokyo. You probably have 5 nights (however 4 full days) in Tokyo, you possibly can take day journeys to 2 locations, along with having 48 full (however not essentially contiguous) hours within the metropolis heart.
So far as how to think about day journeys from Tokyo when you have an odd variety of days? Properly, this may shock you, however I’d suggest erring on the facet of much less, no more. Which means that when you have three days in Tokyo, it’s higher simply to take a single day journey. The choice is spending extra time exterior Tokyo’s metropolis limits than inside them, which is a lopsided ration that I merely don’t suppose works very properly.
Different FAQ About Tokyo Day Journeys
Can I do a day journey to Tokyo from Mt. Fuji?
You are able to do a day journey from Tokyo to a vantage level for Mt. Fuji, be that within the Fuji 5 Lakes area, Hakone or elsewhere in prefectures like Kanagawa, Shizuoka or Yamanashi. What I don’t advise is trying to climb Mt. Fuji on a day journey from Tokyo, which may vary from reckless to downright harmful.
What metropolis to mix with Tokyo?
Many vacationers choose small cities and cities, equivalent to Nikko, Kamakura or Kawagoe, to pair with Tokyo as a day journey vacation spot. Nevertheless, I additionally suggest pondering far exterior the field, whether or not in purely rural locations like Shin-Nase Seashore in Zushi, Kanagawa, or within the sprawling, numerous prefecture of Chiba simply to the east of central Tokyo.
Is Hakone a day journey from Tokyo?
You’ll be able to completely see Hakone on a day journey from Tokyo. Nevertheless, provided that Hakone is named a scorching spring vacation spot, you could as an alternative wish to keep in a single day so to expertise an onsen-ryokan, which is just partially fulfilling to day-trippers.
The Backside Line
Not the entire finest day journeys from Tokyo are the obvious ones. A few of them are, in fact. Many vacationers, for instance, will wish to go to Nikko or Kamakura, even when they don’t have time for each. Then again, there are nearly numerous choices past this. An apparent one is to go someplace with a implausible view of Mt. Fuji; a much less typical one is to discover Chiba prefecture, which most vacationers go to solely when arriving at or departing from Narita Airport. Need customized assist balancing out city exploration in Tokyo with adventurous day journeys? Contemplate commissioning a customized Japan itinerary!
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